MACODA appeals for extra support – Capital Radio Malawi

Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA) formally known as MACOHA has appealed for more financial support to effectively implement its duties.

MACODA public relations officer Harriet Kachimanga said they are facing a deficit of about K1 billion within this financial year and a number of beneficial programs are likely to get affected.

“One of the initiatives to be affected most is the Community Based Inclusive Development Program that seeks to visit communities to ensure persons with disabilities are not left out in community activities.

“We also fear that provision of tools to young people with disabilities after attaining some technical skills might be affected as well,” worried Kachimanga.

However, she said they are not just folding arms saying they are currently reaching out to various stakeholders to assist them resolve the situation.

On the other hand, MACODA is grappling to remit it’s K470.2 million PAYE tax arrears to the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA).

“We have resolved to ask MRA to allow us to be paying the funds in instalments, like K5 million monthly and we are yet to get a response,” said Kachimanga.

She said MACODA further soought help from Parliament Committee on Social and Community Affairs on the matter and that committee recommended Treasury to identify other sources to help the institution pay MRA the tax arrears.

It’s Chairperson Savel Kafwafwa said although the funding to this institution has increased, still, there is need for more support.

According to the new law that changed MACOHA to MACODA, the body was entrusted with additional responsibilities like receiving and investigating issues of rights of persons with disabilities which is said to be a huge task in terms of resources.

In the 2023/24 financial year, the institution was allocated K1.6 billion while in the current budget they have been allocated K2.7 billion.